Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 659,720. Patented 00f. l6, I900.

C. A. WARD.

ACE-TYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Sept. 24, 1898.\

(N6 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

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N0. 659,720. Patented 00f; |6,' I900.-

C. A. WARD.

ACE TYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application 519d Sept. 24', 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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UNrrno STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES A. XVARD, OF CLARK, SOUTH DAKOTA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO CARL JACKSON AND FRANK B. GRIMSHAW, OF SAME PLACE.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,720, dated October 16, 1900.

Application filed September 24, 1898. Serial No. 691,804. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. WARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clark, in the county of Clark and State of South Dakota, have invented a new and useful Acetylene-Gas Generator, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to acetylene-gas generators, and has for its object to efiect cer- IO tain improvements in a gas-generating apparatus of this type whereby the same shall be rendered positive in its action of generating regulated quantities of acetylene gas.

To this end the invention contemplates improved means for supplying water to the chemical and for regulating the supply of water by the movement of the gas-bell of the gasometer, said means for regulating the water-supply also being designed to prevent a flooding of the generator in the event of the carbid being all consumed.

The invention has for a further object improved means for cooling and condensing the gas before the same is delivered to the service pipe and also provides for an arrangement of the pipes and other parts of the apparatus so as to render it impossible for the water to accumulate in the pipes and thereby soiling the burners so as to cause a flickering of the light.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gas-generator having aminimum number of parts,all of which are readily accessible.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

While the invention is susceptible to a variety of modifications, the preferred embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which I Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete gas-generator. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View thereof, showing in dotted lines the positiop to which the coiled spray-pipe can be swung or turned to permit the removal of the chemical bucket or receptacle. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the generating-tank with its cover removed and showing in section the swiveled pipe -'joint between the coiled spray-pipe and the water-supply pipe within the generating-tank.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates the gasometer, comprising the upright cylindrical water-tank 2, open at its upper end, andthe vertically-movable cylindrical gas-bell 3, inverted within the water-tank, so that its lower open end will be sealed by the Water in the tank in the usual way, and said vertically-movable gas-bell 3 has fastened on the closed top thereof a transverse supportin'g-stra p 4, extending diametrically across the top of the gas-bell and having its opposite extremities projecting from opposite sides thereof to provide supports for the vertically-disposed side guiderods 5, arranged exterior to the gasometer. The vertically-disposed side guide-rods 5 are bolted or otherwise rigidly secured at their upper ends, as at 6, to the extended terminals of the supporting-straps 4, and the said guide-rods are arranged to slide in the guide tubes or sleeves 7, disposed in vertical planes and fitted to the water-tank 2 at diametrically-opposite points. The guide-rods 5, in connection with the tubes or sleeves 7, serve to steady the gas-bell 3 in its up-anddown movement and hold the same to a proper working position within the Watertank 2 and out of frictional contact with the Wall of the latter, and one of said guide-rods 5 is provided at its lower end with a vertical rack-bar portion 8, which cooperates with the water-supply valve of the apparatus in a manner to be presently explained.

The Water-tank 2 of the gasometer is provided with a lower extended base portion 9, alfordinga rest or support therefor, and at one side of the gasometer is located a separate exterior generating-tank 10, which is rigidly connected to and supported by the water tank of the gasometer through the medium of an interposed brace-Web 11, suitably joined'to the contiguous sides of the water-tank and the generating-tank. The said generating-tank 10 is open at its upper end and is provided at an intermediate point therein with a horizontal partition 12, which divides the interior of the tank into an upper generating-chamber 13 and a lower closed cooling-chamber 14. Above the horizontal partition 12 the generating-tank 10 is provided with spaced inner and outer walls 15 and 16, respectively, which inclose therebetween an annular water-chamber 17, which is designed to be nearly filled with water to provide a water seal for the removable cover 18 of the tank. The inner wall 15 of the generating-tank preferably projects a slight distance above the top edge of the outer wall and provides a support for the cover 18, said cover having a depending rim 19, which projects downward into the annular Water-chamber 17 and within the water therein, so as to positively prevent the escape of gas from the generating-chamber 13 through the upper end of the generating-tank. At its under side the removable cover is provided with an interior annular seat 20, in which is fitted an annular packing-ring 21 of asbestos or other suitable material, and said packing-ring is held in close contactwith the top edge of the inner wall 15, so as toprevent absorption of water from the water-seal chamber 17 into the generating-chamber of the tank 10.

The removable cover 18 of the generatingtank is provided at-the top with a handle-bail 22, which provides convenient means for readily handling the cover, and the latter has securely fitted to the top thereof a transverse fastening-bar 23, whose opposite ends project beyond diametricallyopposite sides of the cover and are adapted to be turned in and out of engagement with approximately L-shaped cam-hooks 24, secured to the outer wall of the generating-tank at d iametrically-opposite points and projecting above the top edge thereof. When the ends of the fasteningbar 23 are turned under the oppositely-located hooks 24:, the inclined or cam edges of said hooks provide for tightly forcing the cover downward, so that the interior packing-ring 21 thereof will be pressed firmly against the top edge of the inner wall of the tank, so as to effectually cut olf the escape of gas at this point. It will be observed that the oppositely-located cam-hooks 24 are reversely arranged relative to each other, so that by grasping the handle-bail 22 the cover can be readily fastened and unfastene d by a turn thereof in the proper direction.

The upper generating-chamber 13 of the generating-tank is designed to removably receive therein a chemical-holding receptacle or bucket 25, adapted to rest directly on the bottom of the chamber 13. The receptacle or bucket 25 is open at the top, so as to be readily cleaned and charged with carbid, and is provided with a pivotal handle-bail 26, which normally drops to a position on the edge or rim thereof, while at the same time affording means for removing and replacing the said receptacle or bucket. The carbidholding receptacle or bucket 25 is approximately of a semicylindrical form, with a flattened side 27, which leaves space within the generating-chamber 13 for the ivertical arm 28 of the water-supply pipe 29, which extends laterally through both walls of lthe generating-tank l0 and is fitted at one end in the water-tank 2 of the gasometer at the lower end of the latter, so that the water within the gasometer may readily pass through the pipe and be distributed or directed onto the carbid within the receptacle or bucket 25, and at this point it may be observed that the partition 12 of the generating-tank and the bottomof the water-tank 2 are preferably arranged on alevel, so as to dispose the cooling-chamber 14 in a plane that will give a proper inclination to the piping, hereinafter referred -to.

The vertical arm 28 of the water-supply pipe carries at its upper end within thechamber 13 a horizontally-disposed tubular jointsocket 30, which loosely receives therein the tubular communicating stem 31, fitted to one end of the circularly-coiled spray-pipe 32. The stem 31 and the socket 30, in which it fits, constitute an ordinary swivel pipe-joint which provides communication between the spraypipe 32 and the supply-pipe 29, while at the same time permitting the said sprayjpipe to be turned or swung to a position at one side of the plane of the receptacle or bucket 25 when it is necessary to remove the latter from the generating-chamber for recharging, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When the carbid receptacle or bucket 25 is placed within the generating-tank, the circularly-coiled spray-pipe 32 is swung to a horizontal position directly over the same, and said spray-pipe is provided on its udder side throughout the length of its'coil witli a series of jet-openings 33, which provide for spraying the water over the carbids surface within the receptacle or bucket 25 therebelow.

In the operation of the generator the usual chemical reaction takes place between the water and the calcium carbid within the receptacle or bucket therefor, and the gas evolved rises and accumulates in the top portion of the generating-tank and passes into the upper end of the gas-discharge pipe;"34. The gas-discharge pipe 34 is arranged vertically within the generating-tank, adjacent to the vertical arm 28 of the water-supply pipe, and has its lower end fitted in the partition 12, so as to communicate with the coolingchamber 14 and direct the gas into the latter. The cooling-chamber 14 serves to collect and retain heavy particles that are carried with the gas out of the generating-chamber and also to provide for a. primary condensation of the gas, and the accumulations within the said cooling-chamber may be drawn oif from time to time through the drain-cock 35, fitted to the bottom thereof; A similar cook 36 is fitted in the wall of the generating-tank immediately above the plane of the horizontal partition 12 to provide for drawing 0E the water from the water-sealed chamber 17 wh en desired. The gas which accumulates within the bottom cooling-chamber 14 of the generatingtank finds egress from said chamber through the inclined conducting-pipe 37. The inclined conducting-pipe 37 passes from its connection with the cooling-chamber 14 at an inclination through the wall of the watertank 2 and is coupled at its upper end, as at 38, to the apex of the conical downwardlydished bottom 39 ot' the imperforate conical conden sing-retort 40. This condensing-retort is supported by the pipe 37 centrally'within thegasometer, so as to be nearly entirely submerged within the water therein, and at its upper end or apex the retort 40 is provided with a gas-outlet neck 41,which opens directly into the top part of the gas-bell 3, which receives and holds the gas. The said conical condensing-retort 40 has fitted within the lower dished bottom portion 39 thereof a spreading-cone 42, whose inclined surface lies parallel to and is spaced from the corresponding surface of the dished bottom 39 of the retort, so as to provide an upwardly-diverging passage through which the gas passes and is directed out to the inclined sides of the retort proper, which inclined sides of the retort are necessarily cooled by the water within the gasometer. The gas coming in contact with the cooled sides of the retort is condensed, or at least is relieved of condensable matter, and the products of condensation drain back through the inclined conductingpipe 37 into the coolingchamber 14 of the generating-tank, from which the same are drawn off through the cock 35 in the manner explained.

The conical condensing-retort 40 has fitted therein at opposite sides a plurality of alternately-arranged deflector or baffie plates 40. The contiguous edges of the opposite sets of said plates are arranged in approximately the planeof the vertical center of the retort, whereby the said plates will give the gas ample flow through the retort, while at the same time providing a tortuous passage through the retort, so as to retain the gas therein sufficiently long to deprive it of the moisture contained therein. The said baffle or deflector plates therefore materially assist in condensing the moisture from the gas and permitting the same to pass to the service-pipes in a thoroughly dry condition.

The gas from the gas bell or holder 3 is carried to the point of use through the U-shaped gas-outlet pipe 43, one arm of which pipe is arranged vertically Within the gasometer and extends to a point within the top portion of the gas-bell 3, while the other arm of said pipe is arranged exterior to the gasometer and is connected with the piping leading to the burner. Exterior to the gasometer and at its lower end the gas-outlet pipe 43 is provided with a removable plug 44, which permits cleaning of the pipe whenever necessary.

To provide for blowing off the gas from the gasometer when there is an excessive accu mulation of the same within the gas-bell, there is employed a blow-0E pipe 45. This blow-off pipe is fitted in the top of the gasbell 3 and extends to a point short of the lower end thereof, so that under normal conditions its lower end will be sealed by the water within the gasometer; but when the gas-bell rises to an abnormal position the lower end of the pipe 45 will be uncovered, and thereby permit the overcharge of gas to blow oif into the outer air. At a point outside of the gas-bell the blow-0E pipe 45 is provided with a nipple 46, to which may be fitted a flexible escape-pipe 47, which is also connected to the nipple 48, fitted to the easing of an ordinary three-way cock 49,arranged in the line of the gas-conducting pipe 37 at a point between the generating-tank and the gasometer. When the three-way cock is turned to a position providing communication between the cooling-chamber l4 and the condensing-retort 40, the escape connection is cut off; but when the said cock is turned to hold the gas in the gasometer and cut off from the cooling-chamber 14 the escape-pipe 47 is opened up, so that the gas from the generating-tank may escape into the outer air through the blow-oft pipe. With.

the three-Way cock turned to the position just described the generator may be opened up without allowing the gas to escape from the gasometer.

In the operation of the apparatus it is desirable to regulate the supply of Water to the carbid, and to secure this result automatically the water-supply pipe 29 has fitted thereto a supply-valve 50 whose stem has rigidly .mounted thereon exterior to the valve-casing a toothed segment 51, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of the rack-bar 8, carried by one of the guide-rods 5. As the gas is used and the gas-bell 3 settles or lowers in the water-tank the rack-bar 8 turns the toothed segment 51 so as to open up the Water-supply valve and permit the same to pass freely to the generating-tank, and as the gas again accumulates and the gas-bell rises it partially closes the valve, and this alternate movement continues until there is an equilibrium between the supply and use of the gas, when the gas-bell 3 will become stationary; but when the carbid is exhausted and the gas-bell drops to its lowest limit the valve 50 will be automatically turned to a closed position, thereby entirely obviating a flooding of the generator.

To provide for filling the gasometer with water, the tank 2 is provided at a point near its upper end with a side opening 52, over which is arranged an exterior filling-spout or funnel 53.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein-described gas-generator will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be understood that changes in the form,

proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a gas-generator, the generating-tank provided with separate superposed generating and cooling chambers having communication, a carbid-receptacle arranged within the generating-chamber, a water-supply pipe leading into the generating-chamber, the gasometer, a condensing-retort supported in an elevated position within the gasometer, and an inclined gas-conducting pipe connecting the bottom of said condensing-retortwith the cooling-chamber, substantially as set forth.

2. In a gas generator, the combinationwith the generating-tank and the gasorneter, of a conical condensing-retort supported in an elevated position within the gasometer, and

an inclined conducting-pipe leading from the generator and connected with the retort at the lowermost point thereof, substatially as set forth.

In testimony that I clairn the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. WARD.

Witnesses: r

GEORGE C. GRIFFIN, E. D. COOPER. 

